Ribble Valley

Ribble Valley's population grew in the decade to 2011. At the same time there were changes in religion, housing tenure and health.

The population passed 57,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Ribble Valley increased by 5.9%, from almost 54,000 to 57,100.

The addition of almost 3,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Ribble Valley was home to, on average, 0.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw the North West's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Across the region, only Fylde saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner (from 11% to 13%).

During this period, Ribble Valley fell below eight local authority areas, including Allerdale and West Lancashire, to become the North West local authority area with the 10th-lowest percentage of people who had divorced or separated.

In 2011, just over one in nine (11%) people aged 16 and over in Ribble Valley said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 9.3% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 59% to 55%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Ribble Valley

The number of people in Ribble Valley that described themselves as Christian increased from about 46,000 in 2001 to just under 45,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 85% to 78% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the North West (from 78% to 67%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Ribble Valley that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 4,400 in 2001 to about 8,300 in 2011 (from 8.2% to 15%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from about 2,900 to about 3,400 (from 5.4% to 6.0%).

About 430 people (0.6%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 330 in 2001 (0.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in Ribble Valley decreased by 7.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Ribble Valley by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing work life

The rate of self-employment increased in Ribble Valley, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the North West, except Blackpool and Eden.

Across the North West, the proportion of self-employed people increased from 7.1% to 8.2% between the last two censuses, while the proportion in nearby Pendle increased from 8.2% to 8.9%.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) people aged 16 to 74 in Ribble Valley said they were self-employed, compared with 13% in 2001. The percentage that were employed increased from 53% to 54%.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Ribble Valley

The number of people in Ribble Valley from the White ethnic groups increased from about 53,000 in 2001 to about 56,000 in 2011. As a share of the total population, the percentage remained close to 98%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the North West (90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Ribble Valley from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 530 in 2001 to just under 730 in 2011 (from 1.0% to 1.3%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 220 to about 360 (from 0.4% to 0.6%).

About 92 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 55 in 2001 (0.2%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Ribble Valley remained close to 98%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Ribble Valley by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Housing in Ribble Valley

The percentage of households that owner their home fell in Ribble Valley, but at a slower rate than in Pendle.

In Ribble Valley, the proportion of home ownership decreased from 81% in 2001 to 77% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Pendle decreased from 75% to 68%.

Across the North West, the share of households that owner their home decreased from 69% to 65%.

Private renting in Ribble Valley increased from 9.1% to 14%, while the rate of social housing remained close to 7.6%.

The rate of home ownership was higher than across the North West

Percentage of households that that owner their home across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

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